My Name is Barbara and this is my Paleo Journey
Written by Eileen // January 29, 2013 // Good Stuff You Gotta Know! // 6 Comments
My name is Barbara, but most everyone calls me “Barb”.
I am a Senior Medical Case Manager, a Social Worker. I love my job and what I do but my job for the most part is sedentary. Some how over the years the weight just piled on. I didn’t notice it a first but at a whopping 258 lbs. there I was. I became less and less active. My daily routine consisted of going to work, coming home at the end of the day, eat a traditional meal and then after dinner and clean up, I just sat in my chair for hours where I would most often just fall asleep. Not the life I had imagined.
It’s more than that though. I had no energy and my joints ached. Of course they would, look at all of the weight they carried! I was depressed. I had lost my mother and sister to breast cancer in two years. I twisted my knee at my sister’s funeral and became even less active.
18 months ago my best and most cherished friend talked to me. She told me she was changing her lifestyle of eating and living. She was working with a trainer and nutrition counselor, (Eileen Forte) who was teaching her about the Paleo Diet. She had books (Robb Wolf and Loren Cordain) and notes and together we read about the Paleo lifestyle and Superfood.
Slowly, I began following the Paleo diet and began with just short walks. I just put one foot in front of the other. I cut out processed food and carbonated soda. I started eating lean protein, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts and the right kind of fats. For my snack in between I ate ½ of the PaleoSimplified Superfood energy bar, which had everything I knew I should eat with all of the convenience I needed. The bar also really helped to keep the cravings away. At that time my friends trainer made in her kitchen.
Eileen also taught us about organic food, grass fed beef and how to make better choices. As a matter of fact, the one thing she would drive home about choices is that it was mine.
About 6 months later (a year ago) I met Eileen in person. I followed everything Eileen taught my friend and 6 months later Eileen began to train me. She fine-tuned my nutrition and I actually began to exercise. Slowly at first. We began working out in the swimming pool. Now I jog 2 miles a day and I have a goal to run a 5K this fall. I will run as a confident, energetic, powerful and spiritual 62 year old woman. Each day I pray that I may eat healthy and exercise and turn my weight over to God.
I thank God for my best friend and my new friend Eileen. She is the “real deal”, a gift as she patiently pushed me, believed in me and encouraged me. Today I have lost 100 pounds! I am going to do everything I can to continue to be healthy.
6 Comments on "My Name is Barbara and this is my Paleo Journey"
Welcome back Barbara and congratulations!! You could not have found a more energetic and genuine person to teach you and lead you on this journey. Eileen has helped me overcome some digestive issues and find renewed energy for the things I love, like working out and being active outdoors. I feel great. Keep it up and celebrate!!!
Thank you so much. Your the one who did it. You are awesome!!!
Barb…..congratulations!! You look amazing!
Barb, I can’t believe you are the same person we met on the cruise 14 months ago. Wow, you look fantastic and I’m so happy to think how healthy you have become. I’m sure your life is quite different now. I wish I could give you a good hug! Maybe some day we’ll cruise with you again. We are both very proud of you.
Love, Dan & Mary
Wow Barb !!Congrats on your new way of liviing..We all are so fortunate to have been introduced to Eileen. She is such a positive and motivated person. She makes us all feel that we can accomplish our goals to both losing weight and just eating healthy, even for those who need no weight loss. It’s really not hard once you put your mind to it and be true to the plan. You look wonderful. You are an inspiration to us all. Thank you for sharing your story.. Continued blessings! Sincerely, Annette
Barb – I am so proud of you! You have always been an amazing and inspiring person in my life and this just adds additional wealth to our journey. Keep up the good work and know that you are loved and appreciated. Hugs – William